Rob Ford reaches out to councillors on transit

Council meeting on Sheppard subway set for March 15

Mayor Rob Ford is making a final push to extend the Sheppard subway, reaching out to centrist councillors ahead of a key meeting on the issue.

Ford has met privately with several councillors, including Josh Colle and TTC chair Karen Stintz, to push for the subway ahead of March 15, when an advisory panel will make recommendations to a special council meeting — to either extend the Sheppard subway or build above-ground light rail.

Colle said the private one-on-one with Ford was a good move by the mayor, who has been criticized by some councillors as unwilling to compromise.

'I just told him I want to see a business case. I don't think that's too out there.'—Toronto Coun. Josh Colle

"I think part of it is a recognition that there's a more effective way of working with council...It's in his best interest and I think everyone's best interest," Colle said. "So I think he's reaching out for that reason."

The March 15 meeting is being called council's final word on transit. A decision from the province on its $8.4 billion in funding is expected soon after.

Ford's vision overturned by council

Ford had part of his plan to put new light-rail lines underground overturned at a council meeting in early February, when a plan focused on LRTs — above ground but servicing more neighbourhoods — was brought forward by Stintz and approved 25-18.